Scottyairborne Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 Pulling the under seat tank to flush and fit a new low pressure pump. The old 6 runs really good. Then start cleaning the inside up. Will need the seats redone, basically just springs and some shredded vinyl and foam dust. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-453791 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 I am leaning towards throwing on some 445/65r22.5s in the rear. That would perhaps soften the ride, help with fuel, and give me all the top end needed. After measuring it up, I think one winter project will be channeling a flattop 369 sleeper. A 36” sleeper leaves me 8 feet to end of the remaining frame rails. After a lot of looking and dreaming this seems like a great option. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-453792 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Dunno about softening the ride, most people just run low tyre pressure to start with Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-453913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditchdiggerjcf Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 That truck is in incredibly good shape. It should be restored, not modified. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-453918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share Posted June 23, 2020 2 hours ago, Ditchdiggerjcf said: That truck is in incredibly good shape. It should be restored, not modified. It has already been modified, it was an A40S and frame has been chopped off Right behind the drive axle, the hood and passenger door handles have bad “field” fixes. I don’t consider changing tires and wheels a mod, as they can be changed right back. The bed/chassis configuration has clearly been changed a few times. I don’t feel like adding a sleeper box (not cutting the cab) is a mos either, since it is easily taken back. But if you want to “restore it,” make me an offer. I have cleaned the under seat tank and started preparing the seats to rebuild. Hopefully dumping the old gas and cleaning the mouse poop out of the seat springs didn’t hurt the originality too much. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-453930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Scottyairborne Posted July 3, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 3, 2020 Stripped almost 70 years of mouse poops and nests from the seats. I will wrap with memory foam (I have it from a mattress topper) and do a home upholstery for the time being. Always was a fan of blanket upholstery, so may do that for the season to have something to sit on. Will leave the tags I found intact... 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-454770 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 Under seat tank cleaned and ready to be reinstalled. Got a new 6v pump for it, so should be in business. Will run this tank only for now, as it is only poking around town and don’t want a bunch of fuel going bad. I’m firm believer in keeping old tanks full, especially when they are rust free. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-454771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 Looks Good! Amazing the paper tag survived the mice! Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-454774 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 1 minute ago, j hancock said: Looks Good! Amazing the paper tag survived the mice! Agreed, it was the only one that did. I wondered why there were perfect holes in the seat backs. When I stripped them, I saw it was a farm fix... the seat backs were filled full of D-con. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-454777 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 This came today, pretty excited to put them next to the truck and measure. Probably sell the extra pair, to pay for matching wheels up front and some nice steer tires. I want to check the rake with the tall rear singles before determining front tire size. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455344 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 More tread than I will ever use... and nice pattern for a Northern WI toy Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455347 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 Going to be a nice truck the way you are doing it.Just a note, the holes in the seat backing are for ventilation a) to vent air when sat in and b) to allow air circulation to stop things from growing. Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455350 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 45 minutes ago, 41chevy said: Going to be a nice truck the way you are doing it.Just a note, the holes in the seat backing are for ventilation a) to vent air when sat in and b) to allow air circulation to stop things from growing. Thanks, I sure hope it turns out nice. Nothing being done that can’t be switched back later at this point The holes I was referring to were Cut/torn into the seat back upholstery (vinyl and pad). Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455359 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share Posted July 9, 2020 My son, in the pictures is named “Mac.” He is a 15 year old computer wizard and this is his first time really working on a vehicle. The idea is to have an amazing truck to give him as a keepsake alongside the memory of building it with me. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455397 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 That a great time when you work on a project with your son, you'll both make a ton of good memories. One son every time I looked like I was heading to my shop was right at my side.That was when he was about 10. Twenty five years later still stops most every night to check on my projects. Funny every time I go racing he appears in my truck waiting to go. Other son could care less about anything physical. Him and my wife just helped me swap an new engine into my M114 they had a ball. 1 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455402 Share on other sites More sharing options...
70mackMB Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 15 hours ago, 41chevy said: Going to be a nice truck the way you are doing it.Just a note, the holes in the seat backing are for ventilation a) to vent air when sat in and b) to allow air circulation to stop things from growing. c) and an easy way in and out for the mice. .....Hippy 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455415 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 Yup, lots of tread! Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455422 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share Posted July 11, 2020 Fuel tank is back in, brand new 6v fuel pump installed. I have it running and starting extremely well. Waiting on lug nuts to arrive to get the drive tires installed. Should happen next week, then I can drive it to the house and start really cleaning the interior for paint, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-455638 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 18, 2020 Author Share Posted July 18, 2020 (edited) EN E377: There is almost NO information on performance mods, reliability and maintenance tips or tricks. I am very happy with how I have it running, with non-detergent oil in it... Exhaust: the manifold and pipe to the muffler are still solid. The muffler is pretty bad and looks like an old car muffler with tiny discharge hole. No tailpipe. I am thinking about removing muffler and running straight pipe with two mandrel bends to make a stack (passenger side). It looks like it is either 3.5” or 4” pipe, will have to crawl under and measure it... Edited July 18, 2020 by Scottyairborne Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-456114 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 There won't be a lot of info for hop up. Low rpm truck motor with valves in block. Probably something to look at would be an upgrade to Pertronix ignition. The OEM was a Delco distributor and kits should be available for neg or pos ground. https://pertronixbrands.com/pages/pertronix-ignition 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-456119 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Petrol motors need back pressure to stop them burning valves so you no doubt will need a muffler of some type Paul 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-456128 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 2 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said: Petrol motors need back pressure to stop them burning valves so you no doubt will need a muffler of some type Paul Will be trying to play with back pressure in a couple ways. I have heard a lot of arguments both ways on back pressure. I will be running a weighted rain cap that I plan the adjust and take good temps to a sweet spot. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-456133 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 9 hours ago, j hancock said: There won't be a lot of info for hop up. Low rpm truck motor with valves in block. Probably something to look at would be an upgrade to Pertronix ignition. The OEM was a Delco distributor and kits should be available for neg or pos ground. https://pertronixbrands.com/pages/pertronix-ignition I will definitely be looking at ignition and finding the sweet spot for plugs, timing, etc. I have been reviewing the Pertronix and am familiar with them from the hotrod world. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-456135 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 Hot day today, but got the driver side duals off. Two studliners were a serious problem, but managed to get one off unscathed. Will need to replace one stud, which isn’t too bad in my mind... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-456136 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottyairborne Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 (edited) Anyone have an opinion on Power Assist and front wide base tires? Will the kingpins, etc. hold up. I did some non-precision measuring and can make it work. Edited July 19, 2020 by Scottyairborne Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/62850-1951-mack-a40-ideas-for-rebuild/page/2/#findComment-456137 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.